Crop growth improvement by means of propane actuated thermopile and insecticide volatilizer



8 1 u t e 5 .m 5 S 3 D S 5 m w 3 U 6 m a AR E2 A g- 1 1967 K. H.FRANTZEN CROP GROWTH IMPROVEMENT BY MEANS OF PROPA THERMOPILE ANDINSECTICIDE VOLATIL Original Filed Aug. 18, 1963 LQLL Aug. 15, 1967 K.H. FRANTZEN 3,335,

CROP GROWTH IMPROVEMENT BY MEANS OF PROPANE ACTUATED THERMOPILE ANDINSECTICIDE VOLATILIZER Original Filed Aug. 19, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet z TTO BATTERY WHHHlHIw HIHHHHIHh I NVENTOR kw; Z3621 BY 24%;, mm M UnitedStates Patent 3,335,518 CROP GROWTH IMPROVEMENT BY MEANS OF PROPANEACTUATED THERMOPILE AND IN- SECTICIDE VOLATILIZER Karl H. Frantzen,Omaha, Nebr., assignor to Northern Gas Products Company, Omaha, Nebr., acorporation of Delaware Original application Aug. 19, 1963, Ser. No.303,056. Divided and this application July 11, 1966, Ser. No. 578,910

Claims. (Cl. 43-129) This is a divisional of Karl H. Frantzenapplication S.N. 303,056, filed Aug. 19, 1963.

This invention relates generally to an improved method of growing corngrain and other crops through the use of a propane operated fuel cellwhich flashes intermittent beams of radiant energy.

The farmer, in growing food crops, e.g., corn grain, is continuallyconfronted with an increased per acre cost accrued in the production ofa particular crop yield per acre. Were the farmer able to maintain arelatively constant production cost while increasing his corn grainyield per acre, his overall profit would increase. It is the intentionof the present invention to increase this crop yield without asubstantial increase in cost of crop production.

In the growth of crops, photosynthesis occurs. This is a process wherebycarbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide in water by means ofchloroplasts of living cells in the presence of light with oxygen beinga byproduct. The chemical expressions for this process can be stated:

An analysis of the energy requirements to produce photosynthesis in cornproduction has resulted in the following:

Energy required for the synthesis of 1 kg. of glucose kg. cal 3,760Total energy utilized in photosynthesis by an acre of corn plants in themanufacture of 8,732 kg.

glucose kg. cal 33M Total solar energy available on an acre during thegrowing season kg. cal 2,043

Percent of available energy used by corn plant in photosynthesis, namelyits photosynthetic efliciency 1.6%

Since in a typical corn crop, the bulk is harvested as grain, a 100bushel per acre yield would represent approximately 25% of the totalcarbohydrates formed. An evaluation of this yield in light of the abovetable discloses that the efliciency of the radiant energy used for theproduction of corn grain is reduced to approximately 0.4% of the totalsolar energy available. If the efliciency of the radiant energy wereincreased from 0.4% to even 0.5%, there would result a 25 bushelincrease in corn grain per acre of corn crop.

It has been determined that when flashes of light are interrupted byperiods of darkness, the photosynthetic yield on Chlorella specimens perunit of light is 400% greater than continuous light. Thus, products oflight reaction form faster than they can be used under continuous light,whereas under intermittent light, the dark reaction can utilize theproducts formed by light reactions more efliciently, thus increasing thephotosynthetic output.

During the periods when continuous light is present, carbohydrates, madefrom the reduction of carbon dioxide and water under the influence ofchlorophyll and radiant energy, are produced faster than they can beutilized such that a flooding of this product occurs in the struciceture of the plant. However, when the radiant energy is suppliedintermittently having light periods in which the products are producedand dark periods wherein they are utilized in the plant itself, theflooding is minimized, with the overall effect being that the conversionof energy to carbohydrates is increased.

Conversion of the data submitted in the above table discloses theradiant energy required to produce a 56 lb. bushel of corn grain is1,390,600 B.t.u.s. Based on a photosynthetic yield efiiciency ofapproximately 400% for intermittent versus continuous light, 3,274B.t.u.s are required to produce one bushel of corn grain.

To furnish the necessary fuel requirements set forth above presents anumber of problems. It is imperative that the fuel apparatus be designedfor mobility from one crop area to another. In addition, the unit shouldincorporate its own fuel supply, thus alleviating any need for gas linesor electrical conduit lines leading to some distant power source. I havediscovered that a propane actuated thermopile is a suitable andeconomical apparatus for providing the radiant energy requirements. Thethermopile, a thermo electrical device, is capable of producing arequired low voltage current by the conversion of heat energy toelectrical energy. This is accomplished by the use of dissimilarmaterials constructed such that one junction of the materials is heatedwhile the temperature of the remaining junction is fixed or cooled, theeifect of which is to cause a current to flow. A condenser is used tostore electrical energy produced from the thermopile to a sufiicientlevel so that an attached flash tube may convert the electrical energyinto an intermittent source of radiant energy. The fuel supply for theunit is bottled propane which can readily be replaced upon depletion.Moreover, the use of bottled propane allows the apparatus to beextremely compact and mobile.

FIGURE 1 is a view of the apparatus for producing an intermittent sourceof radiant energy;

FIGURE 2 is a further embodiment of the deflecting means shown in FIGURE1; and

FIGURE 3 is also a further embodiment of the deflector means showing apower driven radiant energy deflector means.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus for producing a source ofintermittent radiant energy consists of a triangular supporting stand 10having legs 11 and support braces 12. The support stand is attached inany suitable manner to a carrier 30 which san be readily moved to anydesired location in a field of crops. One end of each of legs 11 issuitably attached, e.g., by welding or a bolt and nut arrangement, to anadjustable tank retaining ring 13. Depending from ring 13 are legs 14,one portion of each leg 14 being bent substantially the bent end beingattached to a base plate (not shown). Legs 14 and the base plate act asa holding means for a tank or bottle 16 of propane fuel. At the neck oftank 16, regulating valve 17 and pressure gauge 18 are located. Incombustion chamber 19 the propane, or other suitable fuel, is convertedto heat energy which is used to heat junction 20 of thermopile 21,junction 20 consisting of two dissimilar materials, e.g., iron andconstantas. The remaining junction 22 is cool relative to heatedjunction 20 and, if desired, may remain at a fixed atmospherictemperature. Heating the one junction while the remaining junction is ata cooled or fixed temperature produces a low voltage. Positioned betweencondenser 23, which is used to store the electrical energy to asufl'icient level, and thermopile 21 is an insecticide volatilizing dish24 which is controllably heated by any suitable means. For example thedish can be heated from the heat emitted from the combustion chamber 19.This heated dish will act as a means for volatilizing common crystallineforms of insecticidal materials which aid in controlling the nocturnalactivities of egg laying adult insects. Electrically attached to theremaining end of the condenser is flash tube 25 which will emit anintermittent source of radiant energy.

Positioned about tube 25 is an adjustable light shield 26 which deflectsthe radiant energy emitted from tube 25 to a desired location in thefield of growing crops. In FIGURES 2 and 3 are shown additionalembodiments .of the radiant energy deflecting means. In FIGURE 2, anumbrella type of deflector 31 is used to deflect radiant energy beamsemitted from tube 25 whereas in FIGURE 3, a deflecting shield 32 iscoupled to and suspended from the shaft 33 of motor 34. The powerrequired to drive motor 34 can be either a battery means (not shown)which is located on carrier 30 or suitable energy for the motor can beobtained through a connection to condenser 23. Upon activation of motor34, shaft 33 and the suspended deflector shield 32 are rotated withradiant beams of energy being deflected to different areas of the cropat desired intervals.

The energy value for propane amounts to 19,040 B.t.u.s per gallon, Basedon this figure, and a heat-to-light conversion of approximately 10%,there would be expended about 1.72 gallons of propane per bushel of corngrain produced. The heat-to-light conversion factor used above may varyfrom about 5% to 30%.

The propane actuated device, preferably located on a portable carrier30, supplies energy to a flash tube 25 which, in turn, emitsintermittent beams of radiant energy to the corn crop. The apparatus hasa sufficient fuel supply for supplying the necessary radiant energyoutput for sereval acres of corn. Operation of the unit occurs from duskuntil dawn, approximately 5 to 7 hours, and from the middle of June toabout the middle of Septemher, or in the neighborhood of approximately90 days, assuming corn bel-t area conditions.

Though propane has been set forth as the preferred fuel to be used inthe apparatus for producing a source of radiant energy, otherhydrocarbons could also be used.

The radiant energy referred to in this specification is that energywhich will allow crops to grow and photosynthesis to occur.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for the purpose ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for the production of a source of intermittent radiantenergy for use in crop growing, wherein said apparatus comprises:

bottled fuel means;

combustion means connected to said fuel means for converting chemicalenergy in said fuel means to heat energy;

a thermopile means connected with said combustion means for convertingheat energy to electrical energy;

means for converting said electrical energy into intermittent radiantenergy; and,

means located adjacent said thermopile for volatilizing crystallineforms of insecticidal materials.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including a supportstand for positioning said bottled fuel.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including a condensermeans connected to said thermopile means for storing said electricalenergy.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including a deflectormeans attached to said apparatus for deflecting said radiant energy in aparticular direction.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said deflector meansis capable of rotation about said radiant energy means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,208,315 12/1916 Hexter et al43-129 1,954,046 4/ 1934 Halbenstadt 250- 2,081,768 5/1937 Ritter 43-1292,118,145 5/1938 Beyer 250-85 2,675,293 4/ 1954 Baker 43-129 2,681,0616/1954 Modell 250-85 2,690,500 9/1954 Winberg 43-129 2,742,342 4/ 1956Dew et al. 43-129 2,799,116 7/1957 Leftwich 43-113 3,137,798 6/1964Noyes et a1. 310-4 3,238,395 1/1966 Sense 310-4 3,243,612 3/1966 Lyczko310-4 3,279,118 10/ 1966 Allen 43-129 ALDRICH F. MEDBERY, PrimaryExaminer.

SAMUEL KOREN, Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A SOURCE OF INTERMITTENT RADIANTENERGY FOR USE IN CROP GROWING, WHEREIN SAID APPARATUS COMPRISES:BOTTLED FUEL MEANS; COMBUSTION MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID FUEL MEANS FORCONVERTING CHEMICAL ENERGY IN SAID FUEL MEANS TO HEAT ENERGY; ATHERMOPILE MEANS CONNECTED WITH SAID COMBUSTION MEANS FOR CONVERTINGHEAT ENERGY TO ELECTRICAL ENERGY; MEANS FOR CONVERTING SAID ELECTRICALENERGY INTO INTERMITTENT RADIANT ENERGY; AND, MEANS LOCATED ADJACENTSAID THERMOPILE FOR VOLATILIZING CRYSTALLINE FORMS OF INSECTICIDALMATERIALS.